Where to eat, drink and shop in Healdsburg.

Healdsburg is one of the most appealing towns in the Sonoma Valley. Just ten miles north of Santa Rosa, it's a nice blend of sophisticated and sleepy.

The historic plaza, which provides a shady respite on warm days, is lined with stylish shops and restaurants. There's even plenty of free parking off Healdsburg Avenue between Matheson and Mill Streets.

If you don't have time to visit a lot of wineries, Selby Winery, Hauck Cellars, Rosenblum Cellars, Topel Winery, Souverain, Gallo, Lake Sonoma Winery, Artiste Winery, Todd Hollow Vineyards, Kendall-Jackson, and La Crema all have tasting rooms within a block or two of the town plaza.

Oceanfront dining at the end of Malibu Pier.

With balmy sea breezes, creeky timbers covered in creosote, and great views looking back at the beach, an ocean pier is hard to resist.   And where else can you stroll over the sea without even getting your feet wet.

The Malibu Pier, which was closed in 1995 for safety concerns, recently reopened and brought with it several new restaurants.  The Beachcomber Café and Malibu Pier Club on the beach end of the pier have indoor and outdoor dining and cocktails.  To read our post about them visit where to dine surfside in Malibu.

Arts and Crafts in Upstate New York.

Fans of the American Arts and Crafts movement are probably familiar with the Roycrofters -- a community of artists and craftsmen who lived and worked together in upstate New York, around the turn of the century.

Inspired by William Morris, founder Elbert Hubbard started the Roycroft Press when he was unable to find anyone who would publish his journals. Eventually, printers, bookbinders, furniture makers, metal smiths, weavers, and leather workers came to tiny East Aurora to work with Hubbard. And by 1910, more than 500 people were living on the Roycrofters campus.

Image Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpape/